Onam: Celebrating Kerala's Harvest Festival with Traditions, Feasts, and Joy

Onam, also known as "Atham," marks the beginning of the grand Onam festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala. It falls on the first day of the Malayalam month of Chingam, which typically occurs in August or September according to the Gregorian calendar. Atham is a significant day as it sets off the ten-day-long festivities leading up to Thiruvonam, the main day of Onam. On this day, people in Kerala engage in various traditional rituals and customs. Homes are cleaned and decorated with intricate floral arrangements called "Pookalam." These colorful floral designs symbolize prosperity and joy. Families also prepare delicious feasts featuring traditional Kerala cuisine, including mouth-watering dishes like "Avial," "Pulissery," "Payasam," and more.

Onam Festival Information

Purpose and Significance of Celebration Onam 

The purpose of celebrating the first day of Onam, known as "Atham," holds several cultural and traditional significances in Kerala:

• Commencement of Onam Festival: Onam marks the beginning of the ten-day-long Onam festival, which is one of the most significant festivals in Kerala. It sets the stage for the elaborate celebrations and rituals that follow throughout the festival period.
• Cultural Heritage: Onam is deeply rooted in Kerala's cultural heritage and history. The celebration of Atham is a way to honor and preserve these traditions, passing them down through generations.
• Harvest Festival: Onam is also celebrated as a harvest festival, rejoicing in the abundance of nature's blessings. Atham symbolizes the onset of the harvest season, when farmers start reaping the fruits of their labor. It's a time to express gratitude for the bountiful harvest and pray for continued prosperity.
• Social Harmony: Onam transcends religious and social barriers, uniting people from all walks of life. The celebrations during Atham promote social harmony and strengthen the bonds within communities. It's a time for families and friends to come together, share meals, exchange gifts, and enjoy cultural performances.
• Spiritual Significance: For many, Onam holds religious significance, particularly for Hindus. It's believed to commemorate the homecoming of King Mahabali, a legendary ruler who is revered for his just and prosperous reign. The festival is a reminder of the virtues of kindness, generosity, and humility associated with King Mahabali.

Rituals on Celebrating Onam 

• Cleaning and Decorating Homes: Families start the day by cleaning and decorating their homes. Intricate floral arrangements called "Pookalam" are created at the entrance using colorful flower petals. These floral designs symbolize prosperity and are believed to welcome the mythical King Mahabali.
• Special Prayers:  Many people visit temples and offer prayers on Atham. They seek blessings for prosperity, happiness, and well-being for their families.
• Traditional Attire:  People dress up in traditional attire, with women wearing the elegant Kerala saree (mundu) and men donning the traditional Kerala dhoti (veshti). This attire adds to the festive spirit of the day.
• Feasting: A grand feast is prepared in every household, featuring an array of traditional Kerala dishes. Specialties such as Avial (a mixed vegetable dish), Thoran (stir-fried vegetables with coconut), and various types of Payasam (sweet pudding) are prepared to delight the taste buds.
• Cultural Performances: In some places, cultural performances such as dance, music, and drama are organized to celebrate Atham. These performances showcase Kerala's rich cultural heritage and add to the festive atmosphere.

Famous Traditions of Celebrating Onam 

Several famous traditions are observed during the celebration of the first day of Onam, known as Atham, in Kerala:

• Pookalam: One of the most iconic traditions is the creation of Pookalam, intricate floral designs made with fresh flower petals. Each day of the Onam festival, the Pookalam becomes larger and more elaborate. On Atham, families start the Pookalam at the entrance of their homes, symbolizing the beginning of the festival.
• Athachamayam Procession: In the town of Tripunithura near Kochi, the Athachamayam procession takes place on Atham day. This colorful and vibrant procession features traditional art forms, music, dance performances, and decorated elephants. It's a spectacle that attracts locals and tourists alike, showcasing Kerala's rich cultural heritage.
• Feasting: A grand feast is prepared on Atham, featuring an array of traditional Kerala dishes. Families gather to enjoy a sumptuous meal together, which often includes delicacies like Avial (a mixed vegetable dish), Thoran (stir-fried vegetables with coconut), various types of Payasam (sweet pudding), and more.
• Traditional Attire: People dress up in traditional Kerala attire on Atham day, adding to the festive ambiance. Women wear the elegant Kerala saree (mundu) or set saree, while men don the traditional Kerala dhoti (veshti) paired with a shirt. The attire adds a touch of cultural authenticity to the celebrations.
• Special Prayers: Many people visit temples or offer prayers at home on Atham, seeking blessings for prosperity, happiness, and well-being for their families. Temples witness increased footfall as devotees participate in rituals and seek the blessings of the deities.

The celebration of the first day of Onam, known as Atham, holds immense significance in Kerala's cultural landscape. It marks the beginning of the ten-day-long festival filled with joy, traditions, and togetherness. Atham serves as a precursor to the elaborate festivities that follow, symbolizing the commencement of the harvest season and the welcoming of King Mahabali.